08 Mar CFL Players Say Repeated Concussions Have Led to Memory Loss

Medical research continues to show that a head injury suffered today could lead to health complications many years from now. This realization is changing the way we think about Canadian sports, as the connection between brain injury and sports-related concussions becomes more defined.

For example, it was recently reported that former Canadian Football League player Angelo Mosca was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and the news has other former CFL players worried that their own memory loss is due to years of hits on the field.

Former defensive lineman Granville Liggins told the Toronto Star that memory loss has been a problem for him for two years now. He also didn’t hesitate to say that he believes his memory problems are football-related.

Liggins pointed out that, when he played football in high school and college, he was taught the dangerous tackling technique of leading with his head. If he was knocked unconscious, then smelling salts were used to revive him, and he was sent back onto the field.

Liggins’ wife Angie said that, given her husband’s memory loss, she believes he may need to join a support group.

Former lineman Al Moffatt also spoke with the Star about his repeated sports-related concussions. After struggling with his marriages and employment, Moffatt decided to participate in an ongoing concussion study at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.

The purpose of the study, called the Canadian Sports Concussion Project, is to test retired professional athletes who have a history of concussion. So far, 47 athletes, including one polo player, two boxers, four hockey players and 40 football players, have been tested.

For comparison, the researchers also want to test athletes who were involved in non-contact sports and who don’t have a history of concussion.